Chief Executive Officer of Tesla Inc., Elon Musk says that the world needs more gas and oil to combat energy shortages.

It’s an odd comment from a man who designs electric vehicles, but even Musk recognizes the current energy crisis - especially with Europe suffering shortages at the hands of Russia as well as nuclear power plant outages in France.

Overall, wholesale energy prices have climbed exponentially in the past few months.

During the ONS energy conference in Norway, Musk said he is not going to demonize fossil fuels but that “we must have a clear path to sustainable energy future.”

He also indicates that a transition to a sustainable economy should happen as quickly as possible, pointing out that the ocean has massive potential.

But, in the meantime, Musk is in support of nuclear energy, indicating that well-designed nuclear plants should not shut down right now, as is the case in Germany.

Countries such as Spain, France, and Sweden are in favor of nuclear energy, while Germany plans to close down its three remaining power stations by the end of this year.

Is Musk Singing a Different Tune?

A couple of years ago, Elon Musk spoke about the effect of carbon in the atmosphere and oceans, emphasizing the importance of accelerating the transition to sustainable energy.

He pointed out the fact that we’re going to run out of oil at some point, so it’s time to establish a renewable energy infrastructure for the long term.

Musk referred to the oil and gas energy as the “dumbest experiment in human history.”

While Musk still stands firm on the need for sustainable energy to combat climate change, it seems that he is in support of the oil and gas industry in relation to the energy crisis - for now.

Job Prospects in Sustainable Energy

With Musk somewhat pushing for a move away from fossil fuels, what does this mean for workers in the oil and gas industry?

Renewable energy comes from natural processes that can be quickly replenished. The most popular forms of sustainable energy are sun, wind, water, and heat.

Because this is an up-and-coming energy sector, there are many high-paying and entry-level jobs available, such as:

Other job positions in this industry include installers, operators, and field technicians.

Plus, many companies are hiring for these positions to grow the renewable energy industry. Big players such as Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and NextEra Energy are always looking for workers!

As far as job prospects in renewable energy go, projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that positions such as wind turbine service technician is one of the fastest growing jobs in the United States.

It’s Time to Accelerate Sustainability

Elon Musk’s aim is to accelerate sustainability, which is his company's primary goal. Tesla makes products such as solar roofs, electric cars, and batteries to decarbonize the transport and energy sectors.

The oil and gas industry isn’t going to disappear overnight, however. Workers old and new can rest assured that their jobs are secure.

Even as we shift toward sustainability, new jobs and positions will open requiring experience and transferable skills - making energy a good career path to pursue.

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